Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Careers & Professional Terminology
gastroenterologist: a physician specializing in diseases of the digestive system, including esophagus, stomach, and intestines
hepatologist: a physician specializing in diseases of the liver
proctologist: a physician specializing in diseases of the rectum and anus
Imaging and Diagnostic Techniques/Procedures for the Organ System
abdominal sonography: using sound waves to visualize the abdominal cavity
barium enema/lower gastrointestinal series: procedure in which barium is introduced rectally and x-rays are taken to visually examine the lower GI tract
cholangiogram: visual record of the bile ducts
cholangiography: process of obtaining visual record of the bile ducts
CT colonography: visual record of the colon obtained through computed tomography
colonoscope: instrument used to visually examine the colon
colonoscopy: process of visually examining the colon
endoscope: instrument used to visually examine a hollow body organ/structure
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: procedure in which contrast media is introduced into the biliary and pancreatic ducts to detect liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic disease
endoscopic ultrasound: using sound waves to probe the GI tract for tumors or cystic growths
endoscopy: process of visually examining a hollow body organ/structure
esophagogastroduodenoscopy: process of visually examining the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum
esophagogram: visual record of the esophagus
esophagoscopy: process of visually examining the esophagus
fecal occult blood test: test that detects hidden or invisible blood in the feces
gastroscope: instrument used to visually examine the stomach
gastroscopy: process of visually examining the stomach
Helicobacter pylori antibodies test: detects the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, which may cause ulcers
laparoscope: instrument used to visually examine the abdomen
laparoscopy: process of visually examining the abdomen
proctoscope: instrument used to visually examine the rectum
proctoscopy: process of visually examining the rectum
sigmoidoscope: instrument used to visually examine the sigmoid colon
sigmoidoscopy: process of visually examining the sigmoid colon
stool culture: microscopic examination and laboratory tests performed on feces
upper gastrointestinal series: procedure in which barium is introduced orally and X-rays are taken to visually examine the upper GI tract
Medical and Surgical Techniques/Procedures Used for the Organ System
abdominocentesis: removing fluid from the abdominal cavity for testing
abdominoplasty: surgical repair of the abdomen
anastomosis: joining together of two
anoplasty: surgical repair of the anus
antrectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the pyloric antrum of the stomach
appendectomy: surgical removal of the vermiform appendix
bariatric surgery: surgery that temporarily or permanently reduces the size of the stomach to reduce appetite and cause weight loss
celiotomy: surgical incision into the abdomen
cheiloplasty: surgical repair of a lip
cheilorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of a lip
cholecystectomy: surgical removal of the gallbladder
choledocholithotomy: incision to remove gallstones from the common bile duct
cholelithotripsy: removal of gallstones through sound waves
colectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the colon
colostomy: creation of a stoma between the colon and the outside of the body
diverticulectomy: surgical removal of one or more diverticula
enterorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of an intestine
gastrectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
gastric lavage: washing of the stomach to remove contents
gastroplasty: surgical repair of the stomach
gastrostomy: creation of a stoma between the stomach and the outside of the body
gastrojejunostomy: creation of a stoma between the stomach and the jejunum
gavage: feeding by means of a tube leading to the stomach
gingivectomy: surgical removal of all or part of a gum
glossorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of the tongue
hemicolectomy: surgical removal of part of the colon
hemorrhoidectomy: surgical removal of one or more hemorrhoids
herniorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of a hernia
ileostomy: creation of a stoma between the ileum and the outside of the body
laparotomy: surgical incision into the abdomen
palatoplasty: surgical repair of the palate
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: creation of a stoma between the stomach and the outside of the body in which a tube is inserted for feeding purposes
polypectomy: surgical removal of one or more polyps
pyloromyotomy: surgical incision into the muscle of the pylorus of the stomach
pyloroplasty: surgical repair of the pylorus of the stomach
uvulectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the uvula
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: surgical repair of the uvula, palate, and pharynx, usually done to correct snoring / sleep apnea
vagotomy: surgical incision of the vagus nerve, done to reduce acid production in the stomach
Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Organ System
APR: abdominoperineal resection
BE: barium enema
EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy
ERCP: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
EUS: endoscopic ultrasound
FOBT: fecal occult blood test
GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI: gastrointestinal
H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori
IBS: irritable bowel syndrome
N&V: nausea and vomiting
PEG: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
UC: ulcerative colitis
UGI: upper gastrointestinal
UPPP: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Medical Terms Practice
For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.